. : HELLACIOUS : .

The Compromise

The tense dynamic shifted once more when Roz requested Kash stay above ground whenever she was home. Billy could only grudgingly acquiesce, losing his energy to argue the longer he went without D'Jinn tears.

In precious moments Roz often marveled at Kash's coiled hair, asking permission to touch before rolling the soft curls between her fingers.

"How do you keep it so neat, Kash? It smells like cinnamon and spices."

"I make do." Kash said simply, unused to the attention.

Kash's favorite part of the day was when Roz returned from the diner and they watched the 5 o'clock news on the couch, laughing at the news anchor's stiff commentary. Billy wouldn't come home until later that evening, scowling once he realized the D'Jinn was lounging on his furniture with his wife like royalty.

Petty as he was, Billy couldn't stand seeing Roz enjoy another's company more than his. He had the bright idea to send Kash into the city so he could have Roz to himself.

"You're out." He said, rolling up his sleeves. It was Tuesday. A mild autumn morning. Kash was washing the convertible and nearly dropped the sponge at Billy's silent approach.

"Excuse me?"

"You fixed my car. Saved me a lot of trouble doing that. As a reward, I'll let you explore the city by yourself today."

They blinked up at him. "....Why?"

Billy's tone sharpened. "What, I can't reward my D'Jinn for behaving? If you're ungrateful then I'll just rescind my damn offer."

"No, it's not that." Kash finished buffing the hubcaps before standing. "It just seems odd that you're letting me wander around Black Avenue without a chaperone as some sort of... thank you? You don't anything without a motive in mind. I'm just trying to figure out what it is this time."

"I'm a benevolent Master. Why should I have anything to prove?"

Kash stared at him with eyes that'd experienced a century of his benevolence firsthand.

"...Alright. I'm out then."

"Good." He nodded with relief before straightening. "Do I need to remind you what happens if you stray too far from your lamp?"

"No."

After fifteen failed escapes, each ending with Kash in worse shape than the last, they had no intentions of even touching their twenty mile limit.

Billy hid the lamp somewhere around the new house shortly after they arrived in Black Avenue. Kash didn't bother trying to find it, knowing he'd slip up and reveal its location if they waited long enough.

Oddly paternal, Billy crossed his arms like a concerned parent.

"Now I don't care what you do while you're out, girly, just don't make a fool out of yourself and keep a low profile. The creature traders would love to get their hands on a D'Jinn like you, and trust me, you won't like 'em any better than me. To them magical beings are less than livestock. They don't understand your baser instincts like I do. Only a seasoned hunter can do that.

"My only rule is come back before morning so you can strengthen Roz's bond. No later than four in the mourning. Any later and I'll take it out of your hide. You hear me? A minute after four and you're in solitary confinement until Armageddon. I make myself clear?"

They were so jazzed to be free from the cage they didn't even bother with a snappy comeback.

"Clear as mud."

Confident Kash wouldn't fling themselves off a building the first chance they got, Billy stepped back and gestured to the iron gate leading out to the road.